Friends of Kings Gap - Latest Blog Entries

Bulk Mail Déjà Vu

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:50:00 -0500

Seven volunteers met on Wednesday, March 21 to help put the finishing touches on our bulk mailing to solicit support for our 2012 Music on the Mountain concert series. We all had a chance to fold, stuff, label, and seal nearly 1,000 mailing pieces. Thanks to Jane Conley, Phil Avery, Bill Yocum, Pat Putz, and Carl and Pat Leinbach for all of your help. George Fohs delivered the completed mailing to the Harrisburg Post Office on Thursday morning. Whew, sure am glad that job's finished for another year.

Volunteer Kickoff and Public Information Meeting at Kings Gap

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:04:00 -0600

On Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m., Kings Gap Environmental Education Center will host a public information meeting to discuss operations at the center for the current and upcoming budget year.

First Day Hike

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:39:00 -0600

Thirty six intrepid hikers joined park manager Scott Hackenburg on New Year's Day for the two-mile "First Day Hike" through the Pine Plantation at Kings Gap. Wonder how many folks were fulfilling New Year's resolutions to get out and hike more.

FOKG October Board Meeting

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:38:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap board will meet on Thursday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Kings Gap Education Center. FOKG members are invited to attend.

FOKG September Board Meeting

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:31:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap board will meet on Thursday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the Kings Gap Education Center. FOKG members are invited to attend.

FOKG Announces Jazz Concert

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:46:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap are pleased to announce an evening of jazz in the Cameron/Masland Mansion on Friday, November 11 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Featuring the Steve Rudolph Trio. Tickets are $30 per person and must be purchased in advance. The Jazz Concert flyer has more information. There is a limited number of tickets so please act quickly.

FOKG Board Meeting

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:43:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap board will meet on Wednesday, August 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Kings Gap Education Center. FOKG members are invited to attend.

Another Successful Concert

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:36:00 -0500

On Sunday, August 7, 2011 nearly 600 people enjoyed the second Music On the Mountain bluegrass concert on the mansion lawn. Thanks to all who attended and to those who made donations that will allow us to continue these events. A special thank you goes to all of the volunteers, sponsors, and advertisers who made this event possible.

FOKG Board Elects New Officers and Board Members

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 15:13:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap board at its meeting on Wednesday, June 8 elected a new president, treasurer, and three new board members. The new board members begin their terms on July 1. Following are the new board members:

Becky Smith, President
Rick West, Vice President (Rick has been serving as a board member)
Treasurer, Letty Kress
Board Member, Pat Leinbach
Board Member, Bobbie Jo Wilt
Board Member, Katie Daniels (filling Rick West's unexpired board position)

Congratulations and thank you for serving.

Thank you to June Morgan, Pat Putz, and Walter "Fuzz" Gehrett for your service for the past four years.

Mail Preparation Party

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:02:00 -0500

In preparation for the upcoming Music on the Mountain concerts, the Friends of Kings Gap put together a direct-mail campaign to raise money to support the event. On Wednesday, March 23, volunteers gathered to fold, stuff, and label over 800 mail pieces. Many thanks to Darwin and Diane Hollinger, Bobbie Jo Snyder Wilt, Pat Putz (the photographer), Carl and Pat Leinbach, and Jane Conley for your hard work.

If you know anyone who might be interested in being a patron ($10) or advertising in the event program, please print the Sponsor Advertising Rates document and provide it to that person or organization.

FOKG Receives Grant from the Dermody Properties Foundation

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:36:00 -0600

The Friends of Kings Gap (FOKG) has received a $1,000 grant from DP/Dermody Properties Foundation, which is earmarked for covering transportation costs for environmental trips to Kings Gap State Park. With school budgets under increasing scrutiny, our hope is that this money will encourage day trips for environmental education. Thanks to everyone who helped to prepare the grant application.

FOKG Receives Donation form Appalachian Running Company

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:48:00 -0500

George Fohs (left) receives donation from Josh Beck

The Friends of Kings Gap just received a donation in the amount of $1,050 from the Appalachian Running Company in Carlisle. The donation represents the proceeds from the Attack the Gap 10K run held at Kings Gap on August 21, 2010. FOKG volunteers participated by dispensing water to the runners and walkers at two water stations strategically located along the route. Many thanks to Josh Beck and his crew for this donation. We look forward to working with the Appalachian Running Company in 2011.

Garden Harvest Day

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:56:00 -0500

Garden Harvest Day is coming up fast. Let's hope for beautiful fall weather on Sunday, October 3 when we might expect to welcome over 1,000 visitors to the park for this wonderful celebration of the harvest.

We still need volunteers to work the various food stands on Garden Harvest Day. There are a few openings for the first shift from 11:00 A.M. to 2:45 P.M. and even more for the second shift from 2:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. or until cleanup is complete. To volunteer, send an e-mail to info@friendsofkingsgap.org or call George Fohs at 717-249-6106.

Dude, where's your hat?

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:49:00 -0500

Imagine this scenario: a forest full of oak trees with an overabundance of acorns, a very windy day, and a hiker without a hat--ouch! I was the hiker and luckily did not get beaned. Even with a hat, one of those acorns would have hurt. Perhaps a hard hat might be in order for hiking again on a windy day.

Chili's Night Out

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:39:00 -0500

We are pleased to report that the Friends of Kings Gap (FOKG) earned $160 as a result of our Chili's Night Out fundraiser on Wednesday, June 9. Thanks to everyone who came out to support FOKG. Also, a big thank you goes out to Chili's of Carlisle for hosting this event. Watch for another Chili's Night Out in a few months.

FOKG Receives $6,400 Grant for Kings Gap Vernal Pools Project

Sun, 30 May 2010 01:13:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap recently received a $6,400 grant for the Woodland Vernal Pools Project at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. The foundation that provided the grant wishes to remain anonymous.

The purpose of the Woodland Vernal Pools Project is to increase access to, and public education opportunities within, an under-used wetland area at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center, with the wider goal of accomplishing the PA Bureau of State Parks' educational mission and the goals of the South Mountain Conservation Landscape Initiative partnership.

The elements covered by the grant request would include: stabilizing current parking areas to prevent damage by increased use during wet seasons; constructing a small information kiosk with interpretive signage that could be changed as needed; and building a sectional deck that would extend into the shallow end of the largest of three woodland vernal pools to provide easy access during periods of high water.

Rudimentary trails that circuit three wetland pools would also be cleared and blazed, using minimal impact techniques with in-kind volunteer labor. Interpretive displays would be created by park staff as in-kind contributions.

Easier access would permit more public educational programs focusing on significant seasonal changes in these sensitive areas, including amphibian breeding activity; sampling surveys of reptiles, amphibian and macro invertebrate populations; bird habitats; water quality and geology research. In addition, funds are needed to pay environmental staff to develop, revise and present new and existing programs for community and school groups.

Red-spotted Newts

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:18:00 -0500

Today was a great day for a hike. I purposely hiked the cutoff trail from the Rock Scree Trail so I could visit the large vernal pool. The pool was teeming with Red-spotted Newts--there were so many swiming around the edge of the pool, I couldn't even begin to count them. If you decide to visit, look carefully because the adult newts blend almost perfectly with the fallen leaves on the bottom. Be patient and you'll see them swimming amongst the leaves.

Water Tower Repairs

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:59:00 -0600

The water tower that serves the mansion and education center at Kings Gap has been deteriorating for quite some time. The leaks are quite evident when the water freezes as the photo on the Home page clearly shows. Help is on the way. The Friends of Kings Gap board has voted to contribute $2,873.50, which will be matched by Kings Gap, for temporary repairs to the water tower. Temporary is the keyword. The water tower will still need a major reconstruction effort if it is to be saved.

The time is now to begin thinking about a fund-raising campaign to save the water tower. We would be very happy to hear from anyone who might have some ideas on how to raise the money that would be required. Of course, we'd be happier still if someone stepped forward with the money needed. A rough estimate for reconstruction of the water tower is $75,000. A final figure depends on how much of the concrete deck would need to be repaired or replaced when the tower is removed.

Help Wanted

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:44:00 -0500

The Friends of Kings Gap is moving forward on several fronts and we need your help. We have three committees for which we need members.

The Food Committee, which is tasked with providing food services at events such as Garden Harvest Day, needs additional members to join the three existing members. This is an immediate need because Garden Harvest Day is just around the corner.

The Music Committee, which is tasked with organizing musical events at Kings Gap, is just getting started. The committee is currently concentrating on events for 2010. This is percisely the time to start planning these events and lining up talent. The committee currently has two members and could use at least two more members. Moreover, someone with experience in organizing musical events woul be a big help.

Lastly, the Fundraising Committee, which is tasked with raising larger sums of money to fund some of the major projects at Kings Gap, needs at least one more member to join the two existing members. Fundraising experience is not required although it would be a plus.

To volunteer to serve on one or more of these committees, please send an e-mail to info@friendsofkingsgap.org or to gfohs@pa.net. Thank you for your support.

Come Enjoy King's Gap's Many Trails

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:59:00 -0500

July has been cooler than normal, a perfect time for exploring and enjoying the network of fourteen trails winding around King’s Gap. Opportunities abound, whether you want to hike the flatter pine plantation or watershed/pond areas or tone up those muscles in the higher country. Many of the trails interconnect and can be combined for a one-mile meander or a multiple-mile trek. A favorite is the Watershed Trail, over to the Boundary Trail, up to the Locust Point Trail which connects back to the lower Boundary Trail, and then across the road to the King’s Gap Hollow Trail, which takes you back to your starting point at the Pond Day Use Parking area.

The hike has many rewards, including streamside trails, spectacular scenic vistas of the park and Cumberland Valley from Locust Point, and the chance to hear and see a Pileated Woodpecker (a beautiful, crow-size bird with a prominent crest). Although there are picnic tables at the Pond Day Use Area, at the bottom of Boundary Trail by the road, and on the King’s Gap Hollow Trail by the river, the first overlook on Locust Point is also a great place to backpack a lunch. A couple of downed trees provide a bench for sitting. Try it out and commune with all the things nature has to offer at this incredible state park. Come alone for some spiritual tranquility or commune with friends or family. Just don’t forget your camera and binoculars.